Hegseth says Gulf states 'going on offensive' against Iran

Hegseth says Gulf states 'going on offensive' against Iran Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 03/13/2026 - 17:17 Secretary of War also said Strait of Hormuz was open for transit, except that Iran was shooting vessels there US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth answers a question as he, President Donald Trump, and special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speak to members of the media travelling on Air Force One as Trump heads to Miami, on 7 March 2026 (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images/AFP) Off US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Gulf countries are “going on the offensive” as he argued that the US’s war on Iran is going in Washington’s favour. “The only thing that is widening is our advantage. Not to mention our Gulf allies stepping up even more now, going on the offence,” Hegseth said at a press conference on Friday.